Bridge of Sighs and Gondola in Venice Italy

Bridge of Sighs, Venice, Italy

Bridge of Sighs

Venice, Italy

The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment

Prison & History

The Bridge connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. The bridge’s English name was bequeathed by Lord Byron in the 19th century as a translation from the Italian “Ponte dei sospiri”, from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells.

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Construction

The Bridge is Baroque and is made of white Istrian stone, spans around 11 meters or 36 feet. The Bridge has over 20 faces carved along the bridge’s lower arch. It is renowned as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance.

The Bridge of Sighs was designed and built by Antonio da Ponte and his nephew, Antonio Contino, following a design competition in the city. It was built in 1600.

Legend

It’s said that if a couple in a gondola kisses as they pass under the bridge at sunset while the bells of St. Mark’s toll, their love will last forever.

Tours – Crossing the Bridge of Sighs

Various guided tours allow you to cross the Bridge of Sighs along with a tour of the Doge’s Palace (links & details below)

Information

WATER BUS STOP

San Zaccaria – 2 mins / San Marco (Vallaresso) – 5 mins

WALKING FROM

St Mark’s Square, 1 minute, Rialto Bridge, 8-9 minutes, Ferrovia (train station), 30 minutes
*All times approximate

TICKETS/COST

Free to view from outside
Crossing the bridge only available through tours

B&B in San Marco

Bed & Breakfast in San Marco

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Hotels in San Marco

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Apartments in San Marco

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Tours & Activities

Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs Guided Tour

Tour Duration: 1.5 to 3 hrs
Tour Rating: 4.5/5

Skip the line ticket to Saint Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace with your guide
Admire the basilica’s marvelous golden mosaics and learn about its art
Discover the magnificent halls of power of the Doge’s Palace
Cross the Bridge of Sighs to visit the Piombi Prisons
Continue to explore Venice afterward with an included audioguide

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Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour

Tour Duration: 2.5 to 5 hrs
Tour Rating: 4.4/5

Enjoy priority entrance to the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica
See the impressive halls of Sala del Maggior Consiglio
Walk over the Bridge of Sights
See the Museum and the Terrace of the Basilica of St.Mark’s

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Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour

Tour Duration: 3 hrs
Tour Rating: 4.7/5

Immerse yourself in the history of the Venice with the help of your expert local guide
Priority entrance for the Doge’s Palace

Cross the infamous Bridge of Sighs
Choose from a private or shared group experience
See Venice’s Lagoon from the usually off-limits terrace at St. Mark’s Basilica

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